Hurricane Maria was rated Category 4 when it hit the island of Puerto Rico, strong enough to rip apart roads and strip trees, cause flash floods and landslides, and cause storm surges that wreaked havoc on coastal communities . According to the New York Times, "The storm left 80 percent of crop value destroyed, 60 percent of the island without water and almost the entire island without power..." This is a humanitarian crisis of unimaginable proportions; we cannot in good conscience forsake our brothers and sisters in their fight for survival. That's why Local 1445 joined with other unions and community organizations to collect the goods - food, water, clothing - that are in such short supply in this devastated American commonwealth, and to work out ways to make sure they receive these supplies as quickly as possible.

For more on the rescue and recovery efforts, visit our FB page and videos.